Though they knew that the relocation of the Yuwen Family to Luoyang City was the Emperor’s intention, primarily to control certain individuals on the Liaodong front, they hadn’t anticipated visitors so soon.
The two immediately tidied their garments and made their way to the hall.
Upon approaching the hall, they saw that nearly everyone from the mansion had already gathered, all kneeling in the courtyard outside the hall. Aunt Hui was standing with Yu Wencheng on one side, while in the forefront of the hall stood a palace eunuch. He appeared to be around forty or fifty years old, his hair graying, and the most notable feature on his face was an upturned nose, with nostrils almost touching the top of his head, similar to his eyes.
When Yu Wenye entered with his wife, the eunuch dramatically rolled his eyes.
His voice, shrill and piercing enough to hurt the ears, said, "Young Master Yu Wen, it’s been a while."
Yu Wenye stepped forward and politely bowed, "Lord Eunuch, have you come with a decree from Your Majesty?"
The eunuch sneered coldly, waving his horsetail whisk, "There is no decree. However, the Emperor heard that Young Master Yu Wen had arrived in Luoyang, so he specially sent me to take a look. Is everything well in the mansion?"
Yu Wenye replied indifferently, "Everything is well."
The eunuch smirked, paced the hall surveying everyone, scrutinized Aunt Hui and the impatient Yu Wencheng, and finally stopped before Shang Ruyi.
Those eyes that seemed to grow from the top of his head finally glanced down for a moment, then flicked back up.
"This must be the Young Madam, correct?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and nodded, "Lord Eunuch, what advice do you have?"
The eunuch chuckled coldly, "Advice is too much. I’ve heard that the Young Madam comes from a distinguished family. Now that you are married into the Duke Mansion, I hope you adhere to propriety and think of the Duke in all matters."
Shang Ruyi’s brow furrowed upon hearing this.
It was definitely not her imagination; the eunuch’s words were aggressive, seemingly aimed at provoking.
Yet she could not retort, for this man was from the palace, and his words, even if they were of his own making, represented divine will.
So, Shang Ruyi could only force a smile, "Yes."
The eunuch chuckled again and said, "Then I will return to report to the palace."
With that, he strode away arrogantly.
Once the eunuch was gone, everyone in the house breathed a sigh of relief, and Yu Wenye glanced back and said solemnly, "Everyone, go back to your duties."
With that, the group responded and dispersed.
Yu Wencheng, not waiting for instructions, had already vanished as soon as the eunuch left.
At this moment, Aunt Hui approached Yu Wenye with a smile, "Second Young Master, today is Mid-Autumn, do you have any plans?"
Yu Wenye replied, "Today, I plan to accompany Ru Yi to visit her uncle’s house. Aunt Hui, you and Yan Jie may make yourselves at home. We will return in the evening for everyone to enjoy the moon together."
Aunt Hui smiled, "Very well, I shall prepare some fruits. Second Young Master and Young Madam should return earlier in the evening."
Yu Wenye then dispatched someone to the Shen Mansion with a greeting card and said to Shang Ruyi, "Once we have bought all the items, we shall visit your uncle’s house."
Shang Ruyi nodded happily.
Just as they were ready to leave, a servant came in to report, "Master."
Yu Wenye asked, "What is it?"
The servant replied, "Someone has come again... from the palace."